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The American coinage history is full of outstanding examples, each reflecting the spirit of its time and relations with the outer world. The XX century in the US is usually associated with revelation, whether it should refer to the establishment of a new order or recognition of past cultural oppressions.
In 1913, there was released a peculiar coin that had a version of a Buffalo Nickel without a date of particular mintage, as well as a regular one, which was quite uncommon and unique. But how much is a Buffalo nickel worth in general, and what about the Indian Head buffalo nickel no date value? Let us learn how to assess and identify the coins together!
Briefly About the Origins of the Buffalo Nickel
To begin with, the Buffalo Nickel, also known as the Indian Head Nickel, had a short yet vivid life that started in 1913 and lasted until 1938. This coin, which was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser, was originally meant to celebrate the true American spirit by displaying both Native American ancestry and the untamed splendor of the American West.
The image of the coin has been rather distinctive and well-known, for it featured a profile of a Native American on the obverse and an impressive picture of an American bison on the reverse side. Such a bold decision to put two powerful figures simultaneously. What is important about the coin is that the face of a Native American is presumably an amalgam of many tribe leaders, which turned out to be the only respectful representation of the indigenous people living there.
Quick Overview of the Buffalo Nickel Coins | |
Years of Minting | 1913–1938 |
Designer | James Earle Fraser |
Metal Composition | 75% copper and 25% nickel |
Diameter | 21.2 mm |
Weight | 5.0 grams |
Mint Marks | “D” for Denver “S” for San Francisco No mark for Philadelphia |
Denomination | Five cents |
However beautiful and amusing this coin may seem, it was not actually immune to errors and wear that consistently erased important information like the date. Nevertheless, why not romanticize this? The majority of numismatists believed that this aspect should have added mystery and charm to the historical significance and the Buffalo Indian head nickel value that we cherish and appreciate today.
Production and Minting of Valuable Indian Head Nickels
Are Buffalo Nickels worth anything? So as to understand the problems and allure of the Buffalo Nickel value no date, it is always vital to comprehend the manufacturing side of the question.
Under the supervision of the US Mint, three mints located in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco produced Buffalo Nickels of regular and proof type. To be more precise, each facility left its mint mark: Denver and San Francisco nickels feature a tiny "D" or "S" on the back, while Philadelphia coins lack a mint mark at all.
Yet, the value of Buffalo Nickels with no date was composed of several unexpected factors, e.g., high-grade conditions, low mintage years, minting errors like 2022 quarter errors, and wear severity, which contributed to the appreciation of Buffalo Nickels in the end. In fact, numismatists do value historical dates represented via coins like the 1937 Three-Legged Buffalo and the 1913-S Type 2, which frequently fetch high prices, too.
Where Does An Indian Head Dateless Buffalo Come From?
The value of Buffalo Nickel with no date is usually higher than that of a regular strike, but what is the origin of this “type” of coin? Buffalo Nickels without a date are just the products of the years during which the date area, i.e., one of the most elevated spots on the coin, was subject to significant wear. The dates on these nickels disappeared more quickly than other elements because of James Earle Fraser's design's comparatively high relief. Not so poetic, isn't it?
Besides, in certain instances, the date was also lost as a result of collectors' use of harsh chemical-based cleaning techniques. And one should never forget that Buffalo Nickels were struck at a time when pocket change was widely used, which inevitably resulted in heavy wear as well. Even though some nickels are dateless, they retain the allure of the original design, and, therefore, the buffalo coin value gradually increases year by year.
Related article: 1976 $2 Bill Value.
The Most Notable Varieties of Buffalo Nickels Ever Minted
Since each coin may lack the date, it might be unreasonable to demonstrate the most valuable varieties without delving into the peculiarities of certain issues. Let us take a look at some notable coin types that may potentially lack the date, and if so, their inexplicable value will grow even more.
1913 5C Type 1
Produced by: Philadelphia Mint
Mintage: 30,992,000
Auction Record: $79,313 for MS68+
When talking about outstanding instances, we should definitely refer to the 1913 5C coin. In fact, this was the first Buffalo nickel ever released with a bison standing on a raised mound. However, it was only the first type that proved to be impractical. The elevated design was prone to accelerated wear when in circulation. This consequently led to a design revision later the same year. But the value of Indian head nickels only grew large.
1921-S 5C
Produced by: San Francisco Mint
Mintage: 1,557,000
Auction Record: $51,750 for MS66
Struck in limited quantity, the 1921-S is one of the most elusive 5-dollar coins in the entire series. What is unique about the issue is that most pieces are poorly struck, and those that manage to survive tend to show heavy wear. Instances in Mint State or About Circulated grades are extremely rare, which is why their worth may exceed thousands of dollars.
1926-S 5C
Produced by: San Francisco Mint
Mintage: 970,000
Auction Record: $322,000 for MS66
Should you wish to learn more about Buffalo nickels worth money, there will definitely be the Buffalo Nickel of 1926, with the lowest mintage of all regular issues released. According to David Hall, the few that survive in uncirculated condition are weakly struck, and coins above MS65 are virtually unheard of. All in all, it can be considered one of the most desirable additions to coin collections whatsoever.
1937-D 5C 3 Legs
Produced by: Denver Mint
Mintage: 17,826,000
Auction Record: $99,875 for MS66+
The story of production was quite amusing. To be more precise, it was created when an overzealous mint employee accidentally polished away part of the image, leaving a surreal image of a three-legged bison, with a faint, telltale line resembling a "stream" beneath its belly (which serves as a key identifier for authentic examples).
How Much Is a Buffalo Nickel Worth? Assessment Process
How much are buffalo nickels worth? In general, this depends on a couple of aspects, including the condition, mint mark, and rarity of the coin. For us to grasp the idea of value identification, let us go through this process together with the help of a fine pocket assistant, Coin ID Scanner. This app is to provide us with the most relevant information about each iteration, for it grants access to an extensive database regularly updated by other numismatists and coin-grading companies alike.
Step 1. Check Condition and Wear. Is a buffalo nickel worth anything? Yes, for sure, because it is a coin! Now, let us be serious. The amount of wear on a coin has a huge impact on its worth, though. Higher-grade nickels, including those with a lot of detail on the buffalo and the Indian profile, will usually sell for more, even if they do not have a date. Less-worn coins are far more valuable than extensively worn ones, especially if they are uncirculated or almost uncirculated. |
Step 2. Look For Mint Marks Those who wonder “What is a buffalo nickel worth?” should also pay attention to the mint marks. The mint mark, either D or S, located on the reverse side, may still be evident and useful for determining the background even if the date has vanished. Particularly expensive Buffalo Nickels from specific mints, such as the 1913-S or the 1937-D "Three-Legged Buffalo," can fetch far higher prices than their face value of five cents. |
Step 3. Identify a Type of Design Buffalo nickels are available in two distinct types, which come down to Type 1, featuring a buffalo on a raised mound, and Type 2, depicting a buffalo on flat ground. To identify it properly, utilize tools like Coin ID Scanner by pointing the camera right via the app so as to detect its type in an instant. What is more, never neglect the AI Assistance, as it might give you insights into where this nickel was minted. |
Step 4. Know Key Dates and How Rare Your Coin Is Although it may be challenging to identify certain key dates when there is no date (though Coin ID Scanner may make an attempt to do so), collectors might still take the coin's overall rarity into account, which is usually apparent and shared via forums and coin-collecting social media. Even a dateless coin could originate from a rare mint or year, as certain mintmarks and years are more scarce than others. |
Step 5. Evaluate Current Market Demand Lastly, pay attention to the market demand, for it always has an impact on the value of any numismatic item. The Buffalo Nickel series is still overly collectible, and the price can fluctuate depending on the state of the market at any particular time. |
So, what are buffalo nickels worth? In general, the prices typically range from $1 to $5, with better conditions fetching the price of $10 to $30 per item. Certain years and mint marks, e.g., 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo, can command significantly higher values of more than $100 or $1000, depending on their condition and the online coin auction platform used. The value of dateless nickels, though, is usually a bit lower but never drastically different from those that we have indicated before.
Summarizing what we have covered before, the value of the Buffalo nickels cannot be overestimated, though it is difficult to identify the real price of each instance appropriately. So, take into account numerous aspects regardless of the coin type, and rest assured, your collection is to be the best!
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